SCOG representative:Strength of crime labis equal representation

By STEPHANIE UJHELYIThe Review Published: February 13, 2013 3:00 AM

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The Stark Council of Governments took the opportunity to remind Canton officials that the Canton-Stark County Crime Lab is a collaboration -- not a solo act.

During Tuesday's regular meeting, the majority of the time centered around debate regarding the recent relaxation of qualifications for crime lab director that briefly put retired Stark County Chief Deputy Rick Perez in office.

Monday night, Perez resigned his appointment upon Healy's request due to "questions arising about the hiring process for the (position)."

Martin Chapman, Minerva's representative to SCOG, said to Canton Mayor William J. Healy II, "This is the first time in the last 15 months where we had an appointment to the Canton-Stark County Crime Lab without (input from) SCOG. ... You do understand that this is a collaboration. This is not the Canton Crime Lab, but the Stark County Crime Lab. (This lab) belongs to 35 entities within the county. It has worked well until the last 15 months. What has changed?"

Healy answered, "I cannot tell you that, but we are here to fix that," before requesting the first of two executive sessions during the 90-minute meeting.

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Following the first executive session, Bernabei acknowledged that the executive board heard Healy's comments and ideas to work with the board, which facilitates much of the laboratory's $1.1 million budget. "(Mayor Healy) promises the full cooperation of implementing Bernabei's proposal."

Bernabei wanted a return to the previous job description, a nationwide search to fill the position permanently, a re-examination of the bylaws, especially regarding the employment of SCOG-funded employees, and a reiterated definition of SCOG's funding for the lab.

SCOG representative Randy Gonzales added that the bylines need to be readdressed because the current situation is definitely an issue. "The strength of SCOG is having equal representation across Stark County. The idea that we are losing members is a problem, especially due to an incident like this. Yes, the city owns 5 percent of the equipment and pays (one-third) of the funding, but (Canton) has 100 percent of the say. Those numbers don't add up for the rest of the county."

"With the regionalization and projects we worked on together, we need more representation from political subdivisions in Stark County," he continued.

Although a request to re-employ Robert Budgake as interim director was ignored, Mayor Healy did make an offer to a current SCOG employee after an interview.

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Michele M. Foster, who has worked as the lab's quality manager since spring 2010 and has a bachelor's degree in forensic chemistry from Ohio University, will discuss the offer with her family. As interim director, she would earn the same amount that Perez was promised, Bernabei said.

"We tend to move quickly in that process and posting the job within weeks," which Bernabei explained was within 120 days. "She will bring stability."

SCOG executive board members unanimously agreed to nominate Foster for the interim post with some hoping that she applies for the permanent job.

Chapman explained, "It has been one of the most extraordinary interviews I've been part of, especially since she only had 30 seconds to prepare. We've made an excellent choice."

Foster, a veteran of the crime lab for 25 years, started as an analyst in the biology section before moving on to DNA analysis. "It has been a trying time for the lab in the past year," she acknowledged, adding that she hopes to restore some normality as well as more timely service to police agencies.

Rick Perez intends to reapply for the position, according to the Canton press release.